SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - The Norman Wells Land Corporation sponsored a traditional knowledge camp at Palmer (Shale) Lake in the Mackenzie Mountains from Aug. 22 to 29. The camp brought together Fort Good Hope and Norman Wells elders and youth.

Dora Grandjambe shows Ethan Tobac how to make dryfish. - photo courtesy of Norman Wells Land Corporation

Youth had a chance to learn survival skills, including camp setup, traditional medicines, hunting, rabbit snare making, and dryfish and drymeat making.

They also took a guided tour of the Gana River Outfitters camp across the lake. Working with trainer Dawn Ostrem, they used digital cameras, audio recorders and video to record their experience.

They also recorded elders' stories. A series of short documentary videos were produced about the camp and will soon be on the internet at www.nwlc.ca.

The camp is part of the Sahtu Renewable Resources Board's caribou traditional knowledge study led by Dr. Deborah Simmons.

Since 2006, the study has involved projects with the five communities of the Sahtu Region. The study aims to strengthen the ability of the Board and communities to work together in managing barren-ground and mountain caribou herds.

Mahsi to Rodger Odgaard for organizing the camp, to Harold Grinde of Gana River Outfitters for their hospitality, and to funders NWT Industry Tourism and Development, NWT Education, Culture and Employment, Cumulative Impact Monitoring Program, and Sahtu Renewable Resources Board. On the trip were: youth researchers Denis Mainville, Ethan Tobac, Janelle Odgaard, Jordan Tobac. Traditional teachers were: Dennis Jackson, Dora Grandjambe, Edward Gardebois, Edward Grandjambe, Edward Oudzi, Harold McDonald.